Replay: A Dallas Stars talk with Mike Heika (3/11/14)

SportsDay

Mike Heika joins us at 11 a.m. Wednesday, but ask your questions now and he will have them when he arrives. Thanks for your readership!

by SportsDayDFW3/12/2014 4:17:16 AM

Well, it looks like everyone has already started with questions out on Twitter, but that is the kind of frivolity we frown upon here inside the sacred walls of the chat. So let's get onto the real questions that keep Stars fans up at night.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 3:57:48 PM

Hey Mike, pretty scary stuff last night. What was it like to be in the building and covering that?

by Wow3/12/2014 3:57:52 PM

The 6-10 minutes where we didn't know was really, really frightening. It was so quiet, and there was such fear that something grave had happened, that it was really haunting. There was a great deal of relief when everyone found out that Rich Peverley was in stable condition.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 3:59:20 PM

What are the chances Rich Peverley's career is over?

by Reginald3/12/2014 3:59:22 PM

We're supposed to talk to the doctors today. I would guess they will tell us it's too early to make that decision. It wouldn't surprise me if he was shut down for the rest of this season and then re-evaluated in the summer.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:00:14 PM

On to hockey. What did you think of Tim Thomas in those first seven minutes last night?

by Twista3/12/2014 4:00:16 PM

I'm not sure what to think of Thomas. He appears to leave huge openings behind him, but he usually finds a way to stop the puck. Watching him is a very different experience from watching Kari Lehtonen. I think the Stars are fortunate enough to have two very good, very different goalies.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:01:20 PM

Who would the Stars call up to be Peverley's replacement? Sceviour?

by Ester3/12/2014 4:01:21 PM

That makes sense to me, but they are noncommittal at this time. I think Sceviour has earned this, and I know the coaching staff likes him.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:02:13 PM

Do you think it was the right move to postpone the game? Also, has there been any word on a makeup date?

by Ester3/12/2014 4:02:16 PM

Yes, it was the right decision. The Stars players could not have played. There is no word on the rescheduled game. Open dates at AAC are March 31 and April 9. The NHL has to get both teams to agree on how to do this.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:05:04 PM

Mike, again, thanks for doing this. It is hard to even think or say anything that isn't about Rich. So many people to thank for making sure he is ok. The coaches, medical staff, both teams, and players/NHL teams reaching out to wish him the best. I think what he brings to this team is going to be missed. What he does in the face-off circle, plays anywhere up and down the line up, think this could be big for them. I saw someone say this, and it is so true, he is like Stu Barnes was. He never put up the big numbers because of how versatile he is, playing so many different roles, and I really never thought of that until whoever said it. I guess the one question is, who do you think they bring up? Jefferies?

by Russ3/12/2014 4:05:30 PM

I told Peverley he reminded me of Barnes and how Barnes had to adjust and fit anywhere. Peverley does the same thing, and I think he appreciated the comparison. I think the best choice to stick around is Colton Sceviour, but we'll see if the team agrees.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:06:44 PM

Definitely relieved that Rich is doing well after that scare on Monday night. At this point do you think he comes back to play or do you think the Stars air on the side of caution and shut him down for the season to run tests?

by scf2113/12/2014 4:06:58 PM

My guess is he will not play again this season.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:07:10 PM

As terrible as the Peverly incident was, is this something that could galvanize the team?

by Brett Hull3/12/2014 4:07:13 PM

Yes, but I also think they will miss his presence. He's a really good player and was looking good on the top line. The Stars have been battling pretty hard, so I'm not sure they needed to be galvanized too much. That said, these last two wins have been really impressive, and you have to credit the coaches and the players for fighting through everything.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:08:32 PM

Have you ever witnessed anything like that at a sporting event before?

by Brett Hull3/12/2014 4:08:55 PM

Not in person. I have seen players knocked out and carried off, but there was not the fear of life-threatening situations like there was with Peverley.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:10:20 PM

Any update on Kari's health?

by Matt3/12/2014 4:10:22 PM

No. He was walking around Monday morning and didn't look great. He has to get cleared by NHL protocol just so he can exercise. Then, they'll take it from there.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:11:25 PM

Is my new equipment almost ready?? I look ridiculous out there.

by Tim Thomas3/12/2014 4:11:27 PM

You look perfect, Tim. Stay just the way you are. :)

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:11:42 PM

Mike, any word on Kari? And how was Thomas been in the room? Do you see the same thing with this locker room as Nill does with it being special? Thanks!

by Shane3/12/2014 4:11:52 PM

I believe we should get an update on Kari today or tomorrow, so we'll see. The ``locker room'' has done a great job during a hectic week, but they still have to get to the playoffs and see how they respond there. We're all so hungry for success here, we forget that the Stars are just taking the first small steps toward possible success. There are still a lot of hills to climb out there.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:14:08 PM

Hey Mike. I suppose I didn't realize how impressed I've been with Lindy Ruff all year until the Peverly situation. He handled everything perfectly. When you talk to the players and management, how do they view the job he's done?

by Davee3/12/2014 4:14:17 PM

Everyone I know has been uber impressed with Lindy Ruff in every facet of his job. He has juggled a lot, managed his rookies and veterans with skill, and fixed problems as they have sprung up. His experience has filled a much needed void for the Stars.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:15:57 PM

Hey Mike, any idea of what deals were discussed last Wednesday that didnt happen with Dallas?

by smithgg633/12/2014 4:16:08 PM

I believe they had interest in Detroit's Patrick Eaves (who went to Nashville), but needed to move a forward to make that happen and they couldn't get a deal done for Ray Whitney.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:18:10 PM

Things are pretty spaced out for the next two weeks, but if it comes down to 3/24-25 against the Jets and Blackhawks in back-to-back games, does Cristopher Nilstorp get a start?

by Stephen @ 100 Degree Hockey3/12/2014 4:18:48 PM

The coaches read this on a game-to-game basis, and the strategy always is ``read and react.'' There are too many question marks to make that decision now. Kari Lehtonen could be back, so we just have to wait and see.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:20:30 PM

Mike, mike, mike... I cannot see but one forward spot opening up for next year... wizard's... Do you you see any others and who do you thinking is coming up here to make Austin less weird?

by sami3/12/2014 4:20:33 PM

Actually, I think there's a real chance they don't re-sign Vern FIddler, and Peverley's career still is up in the air, as well. Fiddler will probably want 3-4 years, and the Stars have several young forwards pushing up, not the least of which is first-round pick Radek Faksa. While Faksa might be a year away, the Stars would likely try to patch any holes with one-year deals. I think the battle to ascend from Cedar Park will be fascinating. Lots of different players with similar chances to step into the NHL.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:23:03 PM

What role is Thomas looking to play in the coming years after his contract expires? Would the Stars be interested in resigning him or was this strictly a rental (a good one at that)?

by Matt3/12/2014 4:23:09 PM

If he is happy here, I definitely think there is an opportunity to keep Tim Thomas around. The problem will be whether he wants to be a ``back-up'' or not. Kari Lehtonen is the team's highest paid player and is locked in as the No. 1 goalie, so that will be a big issue to discuss with Thomas. Plus, he's a lot like Jarmoir Jagr in that he will wait until the end of the season to decide what he wants to do. Thomas will have options if he wants to continue playing.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:25:14 PM

Is Colton here for the remainder of the year and are you surprised they aren't carrying an extra forward right now? Or is there the fear of placing someone on waivers? What do you think of the Lions new coaching staff? #GoStars #ThanksMike

by 21bake3/12/2014 4:25:23 PM

I would hope Sceviour will stay, but we'll have to wait. Waivers have had a lot to do with the decision-making, but so has two-way money (no sense in paying a guy an extra $400,000 to be a healthy scratch) and the fact these younger players need to be playing. This management group seems to know how to handle 12 forwards pretty well. As for the Lions, they went in the exact opposite direction with the emotion level of the new coach, and that might be just what they need, Can you imagine a calm Lions sideline? Unthinkable, right.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:28:13 PM

Why wasn't Joe Nieuwendyk at Modanos number retirement? Was it due to how Modano left the team or Joes firing?

by redskull733/12/2014 4:28:16 PM

Joe had his numbered honored in Calgary on Friday (they honor numbers and don't retire them), and had activities up there on Saturday, so he was not avialble. I'm not sure how Joe feels about the Stars right now. He isn't around and has declined interview requests.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:29:53 PM

Why is Chiasson still on the #1 power play unit?

by redskull733/12/2014 4:29:56 PM

He has been one of the team's best players since the Olympic break. If you have watched any of these recent games, you would say the future for Alex Chiasson is very bright.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:30:38 PM

Whats up with Valeri Nichushkin, has he regressed since the olympics?

by redskull733/12/2014 4:30:46 PM

He's just inconsistent. He was before he went, he has been since he has come back. It's a simple story, but he has tremendous talent and that can carry him at times, but he doesn't have the experience of playing in the NHL, and that can show up in a lot of bad mistakes. He will be fine, but he needs to learn, and learning takes time.

by Mike Heika3/12/2014 4:32:09 PM

Do you think Scevior is finally up for good? He definitely deserves it, in my opinion.